NJ-STEP Director of Transitions

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title NJ-STEP Director of Transitions Job Category Academic - Advising & Counseling Department NJ Step Overview

The New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education (NJ-STEP) Consortium is an association of higher educational institutions that work in partnership with the NJ Department of Corrections and the State Parole to provide comprehensive college degree programming for students while incarcerated and to assist in their transition to college life and further degree work upon release. Under the office of the Chancellor, NJ-STEP serves a statewide population of people enrolled in college while in prison, on parole, and post-incarceration. NJ-STEP operates at each Rutgers campus, in 5 separate prisons, and a variety of residential reentry programs and partner college campuses across the state. For further information, please visit http://njstep.newark.rutgers.edu/.

Posting Summary

Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N), an urban public research university and anchor institution located in Newark, New Jersey-a city of promise-is seeking a NJ-STEP Director of Transitions to support the success of NJ-STEP students statewide. Reporting to the Executive Director of NJ‑STEP, the Director of Transitions provides comprehensive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for all transition, reentry, persistence, and post‑graduation support functions across NJ‑STEP. This includes services delivered in correctional facilities, halfway houses, and other residential community-release placements across the New Jersey community college system, on Rutgers campuses, and through alumni and post‑graduation engagement. The Director is accountable to NJ‑STEP leadership, the University, and funders for the effectiveness, consistency, compliance, and long‑term sustainability of NJ‑STEP's transitions and reentry infrastructure across all campuses and community contexts.

This position is responsible for and not limited to the following:

• Designing, implementing, ensuring consistency, documenting, and continuously improving transition systems supporting justice‑impacted students as they move across educational, institutional, and community contexts
• Developing and sustaining the NJ‑STEP reentry community, fostering a culture of consistency, mutual accountability, belonging, and persistence among current students, alumni, staff, and institutional partners.
• Participating in admissions‑related review processes, cultivation of student pipelines from correctional and community college settings, and early identification of students approaching key transition points.
• Supervising a multi‑campus Transitions Team, including three MVC Counselors (one assigned to each Rutgers campus), an Assistant Community Relations Dean and one indirect report.
• Working collaboratively with university offices and external stakeholders.
• Contributing data and narrative input for institutional reports, the annual transitions program report, and grant proposals.
• Facilitation of staff and student advisory structures, integration of student feedback into program improvement, development of crisis response frameworks, oversight of transition‑related data integrity and documentation, and ensuring compliance with applicable university, state, and federal laws and policies.

FLSA Exempt Grade 07 Salary Details Minimum Salary 94492.000 Mid Range Salary 119604.000 Maximum Salary 144715.000 Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status Full Time Working Hours Standard Hours 37.50 Daily Work Shift Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. The flexible work arrangements outlined in Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 are part of a pilot program that is effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024. Therefore, there is no guarantee that this flexible work arrangement will continue beyond that date. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or cancellation and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System. Additional information may be found at https://futureofwork.rutgers.edu.

Rutgers Future of Work | uhr.rutgers.edu

Union Description Admin Assembly (MPSC) Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• Minimum of three years' experience in the candidate's chosen field and at least three years of experience in program management and/or evaluation.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• Minimum of three years' experience in the candidate's chosen field and at least three years of experience in program management and/or evaluation.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of non-traditional college students and/or incarcerated populations.
• Demonstrated experience with regulatory compliance and data-driven reporting.
• Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain security clearance from the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) as a condition of employment to ensure necessary access to correctional facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some teaching experience or academic support experience at the secondary and college level is preferred.
• LCSW and the ability to supervise SW field placement are preferred.

Equipment Utilized Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Regularly visiting sites across the state, and the ability to travel between the Newark, Camden, and New Brunswick campuses.
• Requires a Valid driver's license and the ability to travel.

Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number 26ST1319 Posting Open Date 06/17/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants Regional Campus Rutgers University-Newark Home Location Campus Rutgers University-Newark City Newark State NJ Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma/GED

• Associate's Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree

• Ph.D.

• • Do you have a minimum of three years' experience in a chosen field and at least three years of experience in program management and/or evaluation?

• Yes

• No

• • Have you been in your current position for 6 months?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of Professional References (contact Info)

Optional Documents